Cathedral of Quito

Infobox religious building
building_name = Cathedral of Quito (La Catedral)
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caption = La Catedral at night
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location = Quito, Ecuador
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religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic
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facade_direction = West
groundbreaking = 1562 [cite web |url=http://www.quito.com.ec/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=&product_id=63&category_id=85&manufacturer_id=&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=66&vmcchk=1&Itemid=66 |title=Sitio Oficial Turístico de Quito - Catedral Metropolitana |accessdate=2008-09-11 |work=website |publisher=Corporacion Metropolitana de Turismo |date=2008 ]
year_completed = 1567
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The Cathedral of Quito (Spanish: La Catedral de Quito, officially La Catedral) is the cathedral church in Quito, Ecuador. Located on the southern side of La Plaza Grande, it serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Quito. It is considered to be one of the oldest cathedrals in South America [cite web
url=http://www.quito.com.ec/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=&product_id=63&category_id=85&manufacturer_id=&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=66&vmcchk=1&Itemid=66
title=Sitio Oficial Turístico de Quito - Catedral Metropolitana
accessdate=2008-09-11
work=website
publisher=Corporacion Metropolitana de Turismo
date=2008 ] .

Atypical of Spanish city design, the cathedral has two main entrances: one is part of the nave facing La Plaza Grande and the other is at the facade facing west. This is due to the geography of Quito when construction began. Ravines prevented the facade from facing the plaza, as is customary in Spanish city design. Artwork by artist of the Quito School of Art adorn the interior. The main alter is designed in Baroque style, while the exterior is orthodox Spanish.

The church has many historical points of interest. Plaques on the outside walls commemorate the launching point of Francisco de Orellana's expedition to the Amazon. The catacombs of the cathedral serve as a resting place to many important figures in Ecuador's history, such as independence leader Antonio José de Sucre, who is laided to rest at the Mausoleum Chapel. The small altar of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (English: Our Lady of Sorrows) has a plaque showing where Gabriel García Moreno was shot in 1875.

References

External links

* [http://www.quito.com.ec/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=&product_id=63&category_id=85&manufacturer_id=&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=66&vmcchk=1&Itemid=66 Info from Quito's tourist website]